The availability of adequate housing at affordable prices in Westchester
County, including the Town of Cortlandt, is of increasing concern to residents
and county and municipal officials, as evidenced in the widespread public
debate and discussion of these issues and the County Executive’s Housing
Implementation Plan. An aging population, smaller families and changing family
composition have contributed to an increase in demand for housing. Increased
construction costs, increased operating and maintenance costs, more stringent
financing and more regulation have had a negative impact on the production
of additional housing. A general scarcity of housing and steep rental increases
have resulted. In view of the existing disparity between the demand and supply
of rental housing and the potential for an even greater disparity, it is desirable
and necessary to establish a Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board to gather facts,
analyze and make recommendations to the Town Board with respect to tenant-landlord
relations and to mediate and fact-find with respect to any agreements or memorandums
of understanding between the Town Board and any tenant, tenants’ group,
landlord or landlords’ group to the extent that any such agreement or
memorandum of understanding authorizes the Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board
to do so.

The Cortlandt Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board shall consist
of seven members. The Director of Technical Services or his designee shall
be a permanent member. The remaining six members shall be appointed by the
Town Board for terms of three years, with the exception of the initial appointments,
two of which shall be for terms of one year, two others of which shall be
for terms of two years and two others of which shall be for terms of three
years. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments,
except that a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration of term of office
shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.

The composition of the Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board
shall be two members representing tenants, two members representing landlords,
two public officials (the Director of Technical Services and one other) and
one member at large.

The Cortlandt Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board shall adopt
rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its
meetings and activities and shall file an annual report to the Town Board
not later than the first day of April of each year, concerning the activities
and work of the Board. The Board may also submit to the Town Board such reports
and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.

The members of the Cortlandt Tenant-Landlord Advisory
Board shall receive no compensation for their services as members thereof
but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred during
the performance of their duties within the appropriations made therefor.

To mediate and fact-find with respect to any written
complaints filed with the Department of Technical Services pursuant to any
memorandum of understanding effective, signed by the Supervisor of the Town
of Cortlandt as authorized by Town Board resolution and the owners of any
apartment complex within the Town.

To mediate and fact-find with respect to any written
complaints filed with the Department of Technical Services Improvement pursuant
to any amendments to the above memorandum of understanding or any other memorandum
of understanding or agreement between the Town Board and any tenant, tenants’
group, landlord or landlords’ group to the extent that any such memorandum
of understanding or agreement authorizes the Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board
to do so.

This chapter shall take effect immediately as prescribed by law and
shall be in effect for a period of five years. At the end of the said five-year
period, the Town Board may extend the effective time period by local law after
proper notice and public hearing as prescribed by law.